Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly stated that Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team helped identify spyware installed on computers and phones used by herself and other political appointees at DHS.
The disclosure was part of Noem’s broader comments about internal challenges within the agency and efforts to restore operational standards under the Trump administration.
🚨 BREAKING: Sec. Kristi Noem just shockingly announced that Elon Musk helped her uncover SPYWARE installed by DHS STAFFERS onto her phone and computer
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 26, 2026
TRAITORS MUST BE PROSECUTED!
"@ElonMusk and his team were extremely helpful to me. They helped me identify that some of my own… pic.twitter.com/NJxZz5y9xh
Performing my role as Secretary of Homeland Security has shown me just how real and dangerous the deep state really is.@elonmusk helped us find that a few DHS staff had installed spying software on the phones and computers of myself and other political hires. We found secret,… pic.twitter.com/ktnM6j7kog
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) February 26, 2026
“We found secret, secure rooms with hidden files that we turned over to attorneys. Under the leadership of [President Trump]. DHS is returning to the standard of excellence and behavior we expect our government agencies to function at. We will root out actors who do not have the interests of America in mind.”
The spyware appears to have been placed by a small number of DHS staff members, though specific identities and the technical details of the software have not been released publicly. Noem also mentioned that her team located concealed rooms containing hidden files, which were subsequently provided to legal counsel for review.
The incident raised questions about internal security practices at an agency responsible for protecting federal networks and critical infrastructure.
Musk has not made a separate public statement specifically addressing Noem’s spyware disclosure as of this report.
This episode fits within the larger scope of DOGE’s activities, which have included examinations of data systems at multiple agencies, such as the Treasury Department, the Office of Personnel Management, and components of DHS including FEMA. These activities have continued after Musk’s departure from the White House last year.
Earlier in 2025, Noem confirmed during a television appearance that President Trump had explicitly authorized Musk’s access to DHS information for efficiency-related purposes. Details on the incident are sparse as of this report, though Noem did note that the involved employees were fired.
“I always believed when people talked about the deep state that it existed. I never would have dreamed that it was as bad as it is,” the secretary said.
